Folding grandstand



Feb. 11, 1936. F. c. VANCE FOLDING GRANDSTAND Filed July 2, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l Err-es? Climce Feb. 11, 1936. F; c. VANCE I 2,030,776

' FOLDING GRANDSTAND Filed July 2, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuc/wkw Err-gs"? CJ'ance arw w Feb..11, 1936. F. C(VANCE 7 2,030,776

FOLDING GRANDSTAND Filed July 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 m ANNMQLQ m & 3

' Forresi Cf I ince Feb. 11, 1936. I VANCE 2,030,776

FOLDI NG GRANDS TAND Filed July 2, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in folding structures, more particularly to a structure of such class designed for use as a grandstand.

The invention has for its object to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a foldable and extendible structure for the purpose referred to which may be expeditiously folded and extended at will and, when folded, will be arranged in a compact manner and occupy a relatively small area.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a' manner as hereinafter set forth, a foldable and extendible structure for the purpose referred to, having as elements thereof spaced springs disposed and arranged to facilitate the extending of the structure, as well as acting to assist in retaining the structure, after being extended in extended position.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a portable structure capable of being arranged at a suitable point with respect to a playing field or court and out of the way of the athletics on the field and court, and further capable of being extended to constitute a grandstand and further capable of being expeditiously folded in a compact manner to occupy a relatively small area.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a foldable and extendible structure for the purpose referred to, which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly eflicient in use for the purpose intended thereby, conveniently extended and folded when occasion requires, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to set up with respect to structures employed for the same purpose.

With-the foregoing and other objects which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically herein referred to and as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the structure when in extended position,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the seat members and foot-rest members removed,

Figure 3 is an end view of the structure when extended, and

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the structure when folded.

The structure includes a set of seat members and a set of foot-rest members. These members .may be constructed of metal or wood and are 5 shown by way of example as formed of wood. When the seat and foot-rest members are formed from metal, they are welded, riveted or bolted to other elements of the structure, but when formed of wood, they are suitably secured by holdfast means to the said other elements of the structure. As illustrated the structure is provided with four seat members 5, 6, l and 8, and three foot-rest members 9, Ill and II. The number of seat and foot-rest members may be increased if desired. The length of the seat and foot-rest members corresponds substantially to the length of the base l2 of the structure. When the latter is extended, the seat members are arranged progressively at different levels increasing in height from the front 0 to the rear of the base l2. This arrangement also applies to the foot-rest members. The member 9 is arranged between and below the members 5 and 6. 'I'he'member I0 is arranged between and below the members 6 and l, and the member I I is arranged between and below the members I and 8. As before stated, the seat members are illus trated as being constructed of wood and the holdfast means for anchoring them in position to elements of the structure to be referred to are indib cated at I 3. It is also stated that the foot-rest members as shown are constructed of wood and holdfast means indicated at I 4 are employed for anchoring the foot-rest members to elements of the structure to be referred to.

The base I! is rectangular and formed of a ,front and a rear section I6, I! hinged together,

as at H3, in a manner whereby section l6 may be folded upwardly in a direction toward section H. The section It is of materially greater width than 40 the section II. For seating upon the section I6 is a series of parallel spaced uprights IS, a series of spaced parallel uprights 20 and a series of spaced parallel uprights 2|. When the uprights are seated on base section 16, the uprights 20 are arranged between, spaced from and parallel to the uprights l9 and 2|. The uprights 20 are of greater height than the uprights I9. -The up-' rights 2| are of greater height than the uprights 20. Anchored to the section ll of base I2 is a series of spaced parallel uprights 22 which are arranged in parallel spaced relation to and are of greater height than the uprights 2| Secured to one side'of the upper end of each upright I9 is a rearwardly directed member 23. The said mem- 25is secured to a standard l9, preferably by welding, riveting or bolting, and the portion 28 is arranged against one side of a standard 20. The portion 26 depends from the inner end of the portion 25 and the portion 28 depends from the rear end of the portion'21. The seat member 5 is arranged upon the upper end of the standards l9 and the portions 25 of the members 23. The footrest member 9 is mounted upon and suitably secured to the portions 21 of the members 23. When the structure is folded, the standards l9, members 23, members 5 and 9 bodily move downwardly upon the pivots 24 with respect to the uprights 20. 11; this connection see Figure 4:.

Pivotally connected, as at 29, to the standards 28'and, as at 30, to 1.18 standards 2|, are links 3| which when the structure is extended, will incline-downwardly from the standards 20 to the standards 2| and constitute braces. Pivotally connected to the standards 20, as at 32, and to the standards 22, as at 33, are elongated links 34 formed of a forward portion 35, an intermediate portion 36 disposed at an angle with respect to portion 35 and a rear portion 31 disposed at an angle with respect to portion 36. The links 34 constitute bracing means between the uprights 22 and the uprights and also a supporting means for the carriers, to be referred to, for the footrest member Ill. The uprights 20 have secured to their upper ends rearwardly extending supports 38. The seat member 6 is mounted upon the upper end of the uprights 28 and the top of supports 38 and suitably. connected therewith, Pivotally connected as at 39 to each upright 2| is a carrier 48 for the foot-rest member Hi. The carrier 46 includes a rear portion 4| and a forward portion 42. Portion 48 is disposed at an mgle with respect .to portion 42. The foot-rest menrber I is mounted on portion 42 and extends forwa. "1y from the latter when the structure is extended. When the structure is extended, the carriers 48 project towards the uprights 2|] and seat upon or are supported by the links 34 at the point of joinder or portions 35 and 36. The foot-rest member II], when the structure is extended, is supported by the portions 35 of the links 34. When the structure is extended, the links 34 extend upwardly from the lower end of the standards 22 to a point in close proximit to the upper end of the uprights 20. I

Pivotally connected as at 43 to each of the uprights 22 is a carrier 44 for the foot-rest member The carriers 44 are of the same construction as the carriers 40 but are arranged above these latter when the structure is extended. Pivotally connected as at 45 to each of,.the uprights 2| and pivotally connected as at 46 to each upright 22 is a link 41 formed of a pair of portions 48, 49 disposed at an angle to each arranged relatively to carriers 44 in the same manner as the foot-rest member ID is arranged relatively to carriers 48. The carriers, when the structure is extended, are supported .by thelinks 41 'at the point of joinder of the portions 48, 49 of the links and the foot-rest member H is supported by the portion 48 of the links. The

with a rearwardly directed support 58. The seat member 1 is mounted on the. upper ends of standards 2| and the tops of supports 50 and suitably secured therewith. The upper end of each 01' the uprights 22 is formed with a rearwardly directed support Seat member 8 is mounted on the upper ends of the uprights 22 and top or the supports 5| and suitably secured therewith. When the structure is extended, the member In is arranged above the member 9 and the member above the member ID. There is associated with each link 34 and each upright 2| a bow-shaped spring 52 formed of a pair of oppositely disposed overlapping sections 53, 54. The pivots 38 are extended and the sections 54 of the springs 52 have their outer ends bear upon the said pivots 3|! as at 55. The portions 36 of the links 34 are formed with studs 56 against which bear the outer ends 51 of the sections 53 of the springs 52. The uprights 54 carry lateral lugs 58 to which are anchored the springs 52 by the means of U-shaped members 59 bearing against and extending from the lugs 58, passing through the spring sections 53, 54 and also through retaining plates 66 positioned against the sections 54 of the springs 52. The ends of the members 59 may be upset or provided with clamping nuts, as indicated at 68, for anchoring members 59 to the springs 52 and also to the lugs 58. The springs 52 act to faciltitate the extending of the structure and further act to assist in retaining the structure in its extended position.

Each of the uprights 22 is anchored to base section l1 by a vertically disposed triangular shaped plate 6| formed at its lower end with a flange 62. The plates 6| are positioned against upper end of each of the uprights 2| is provided the side of the uprights 22 and anchored to said uprights by holdfast means 63. The flanges 62 are positioned upon the base section l1 and are anchored thereto by the holdfast means 64. The

apices of the plates 6| are disposed rearwardly with respect to the vertical median of the uprights 22. The plates 6| have laterally extending lugs 65. The portions 49 of the links 40 have laterally extending lugs 66. The pivots 46 are extended laterally with respect to the uprights 22. Anchored to the pivots 46 are springs 61 of the same form and construction as that of the springs 52. The springs 61 at one end bear against the lug 66 and at their other ends against the lug 65. The springs 61 are anchored to the pivots 46 in the same manner as the springs 52 are anchored to the lugs 58. The springs 61 function in the same manner as the springs 52 and are arranged above the latter.

The rear end portions of the links 51 are in the form of crank arms as indicated at 68 and extend rearwardly with respect to the uprights 22. Anchored to the base section l1 as at 69 are the lower ends of upstanding coil controlling springs 10 functioning to assist in thefolding of the structure. Each spring 19 has its upper end anchored, as at 1|, to the free' end of an end portion 68 of the link 41.

, When the. structure is extended, the elements thereof will appear as shown in Figure 3. When bear against the anchored means for the springs 52. The portion 68 will be disposed downwardly and the springs 10 contracted. The foot-rest member I0 and carriers 40 will be arranged between the uprights 20, 2|. The foot-rest member H and carriers 44 will be arranged between the uprights II, 22. The end portion 88 of the links" will act as a contracting means for the spring 10. When the structure is folded, the base section IE will be shifted to a position at right angles to the base section l1 whereby the elements carried by base section II will be moved to the position referred to and as shown in Figure 4. The structure includes a means for releasably latching it in folded position and the said means consists of a key-operated latching element 12 carried by base section It capable of engaging in seat member 6, as indicated at 13, Figure 2.

As illustrated, the structure is shown as provided with a means to prevent the entrance thereinto from the top thereof of footballs, baseballs, basketballs, and other such objects when the structure is folded and not in use. The said means consists of a reticulated panel 14 corresponding in length' and width to that of base section II. The member 14 has pivotally connected thereto a set of hinge leaves 15 formed with openings 16 for connecting'them to a wall or standards arranged at the rear of the structure against which the latter 'is positioned. It

may be stated, however, that the standards not shown may be secured to the base section II. The member 14 has secured thereto and extending therefrom a set of brackets 71 and to the outer end of said brackets are pivotally connected, as at 18 the outer ends of angle shaped pull bars l9, which are pivotally connected at their'inner end, as at 80 to apertured ears 8|, carried by the rear end portion 68 of the links 41, The base section l6 carries an angle shaped support or stop 82 for the non-pivoted side of the member 14. When the structure is extended, the end portion 68 of the links 41 moves upwardly carrying the pull bars 19 therewith and which in turn will act to swing the member I4 on its pivots to the position shown in Figure 2. When the end portions 68 of the links 41 are moved downwardly to the position shown in Figure 4, the pull bars 19 will be carried therewith whereby member 14 will be swung on its pivot to the position shown in Figure 4 providing a closure for the upper end of the structure when the latter is folded as is shown in Figure 4.

What I claim is: v

1 In a folclable grandstand opposed sets of vertical uprights for seat members one set being fixed, another set, being movable to a position to an angle to said fixed set and the others of said sets being vertically movable relative to the fixed set, carriers for a foot-rest member connecting the said another set to one of the sets of the said other sets, a set of links for pivotally connecting the said others of said sets together, a lower set of combined bracing and supporting elements pivotally connecting one of the sets of the said other sets to said fixed set, a set of upper combined bracing and; supporting elements pivotally connecting another of the sets of the said other sets to said fixed set, means in connection with said upper and lower sets of elements acting to maintain the grandstand in extended position, footrest member supporting means pivotally connected to a set of thesaid other sets and adapted to be supported by said lower set of elements when the grandstand is extended, and fo0t-rest member supporting means pivotally connected to said fixed set and adapted to be supported by said upper elements when the grandstand is extended.

2. The invention as set-forth in claim 1 combined with anchored resilient means connected to the rear ends of the said upper elements to facilitate the folding of the grandstand.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 having combined therewith a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together to provide for the foldng of the front section upwardly at right angles to the rear section to cause the front section to shift said movable sets of uprights towards the fixed set of uprights, said fixed set of uprights being carried by saidrear section and the other of said sets of uprights for seating on said front section when the grandstand is extended.

4. The invention as set forth in claim- 1 having combined therewith anchored resilient means connected to the rear ends of the said upper elements to facilitate the folding of the grandstand,

a. base formed of a front and a rear section hinged 3' together to provide for the folding of the front section upwardly at right angles to the rear section to cause the front section to shift said movable sets of uprights towards the fixed'set of uprights, said fixed set of uprights being carried by :1

said rear section, and the other of said sets of uprights for seating on said front section when the grandstand is extended.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 having combined therewith a seat member anchored to the rear section to cause the front section to shift said movable sets of uprights towards the fixed set of uprights, said fixed set of uprights being carried by said rear section, the other of said sets of uprights for seating on said front section when the grandstand is extended, and means carried by said front section and coacting with said seat member for latching the grandstand in folded position. I

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 having combined therewith spaced anchored resilient means connected to the rear ends of the said upper elements to facilitate the folding of the grandstand, a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together to provide for the folding of the front section upwardly at right angles to the rear section to cause the front section to shift said movable sets of uprights towards the fixed set of uprights, said fixed set of uprights being carried by said rear section, the other of said sets of uprights for seating on said front section when the grandstand is extended, a seat member anchored to the uprights of one of said sets of the others of said sets of uprights, and means carried by saidfront section and coactingwith said anchored seat member for latching the angles to the rear section to cause the front section to shift said movable sets of uprights towards the fixed set of uprights, said fixed set of uprightsbeing carried by said rear section, the other of said sets of uprights for seating on said front section when the grandstand is extended, and an automatically foldable pivoted arresting element connected with the rear ends of the said upper elements for extension across the top of the grandstand when the latter is folded to prevent entrance of foreign bodies into the folded stand at the top of the latter.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 having combined therewith spaced anchored resilient means connected to the rear end of the said upper elements to facilitate the folding of the grandstand, a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together to provide for the folding of the front section upwardly at right angles to the rear section to cause the front section to shift the said movable sets of uprights towards the fixed set of uprights, said spaced resilient means being anchored to said rear section, said fixed set of uprights being carried by said rear section, the other of said sets of uprights for seating on said front section when the grandstand is extended, and an automatically foldable pivoted arresting element for extension across the top of the grandstand when the latter is folded to prevent entrance of foreign bodies in the folded stand at the top of the latter.

9. In a foldable grandstand a rear vertically disposed stationary supporting means for a seat member, spaced vertically movable intermediate supporting means for seat members and'having free lower ends, upper and lower pivotal connection means between said intermediate and rear supporting means and being so formed to provide for the vertically moving of the said intermediate supporting means relative to the rear supporting means when the stand is folded and extended and for suspending the intermediate supporting means when the stand is folded, an upstanding angularly shiftable front supporting means for a seat member having its lower end free, a pivotal connection between said front supporting means and one of said intermediate supporting means and being so formed to provide for moving said front supporting means upwardly and downwardly when the stand is folded and extended, suspending said front supporting means at an angle to the intermediate supporting means when the stand is folded and constituting a foot-rest member carrying means, foldable spaced foot-rest members carrying means arranged rearwardly of the other foot-rest member carrying means and pivotally connected to said rear supporting and to another one of said intermediate supporting means, said foldable foot-rest members'carrying means being disposed relatively to the said upper and lower pivotal connections to be supported by these latter when the stand is extended.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith spaced resilient means carried by said rear supporting means and extending rearwardly and forwardly therefrom, spaced resilient means carried by one of said intermediate supporting means and extending rearwardly and forwardly therefrom, the said several spaced resilient means acting to. retain the stand'in extend-- ed position, upper and lower abutment means arranged relatively to said rear and one of said intermediate supporting means, and the said several resilient means being slidably mounted against said abutment means.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith spaced upstanding lower end anchored resilient means attached at their upper ends to the rear ends of said upper pivotal connection means for retaining the stand in folded position.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith spaced resilient means carried by said rear supporting means and extending rearwardly and forwardly therefrom, spaced resilient means carried by one of said intermediate supporting means and extending rearwardly and forwardly therefrom, the said several spaced resilient means acting to retain the stand in extended position, upper and lower abutment means arranged relatively to said rear and one of said intermediate supporting means, the said several resilient means being slidably -mounted against said abutment means, and spaced upstanding lower end anchored resilient means attached at their upper ends to the rear ends of said upper pivotal connection means for retaining the stand in folded position.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together, the former being adapted to have seated thereupon the lower ends of the front and intermediate supporting means when the stand is extended and being foldable upwardly at right angles to the rear section for moving upwardly and folding the front and intermediate supporting means together relative to said rear supporting means, and said rear section being provided with means for anchoring said rear supporting means thereon.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together, the former being adapted to have seated thereupon the lower ends of the front and intermediate supporting means when the stand is extended and being foldable upwardly at right angles to the rear section for moving upwardly and folding the front and intermediate supporting means together relative to said rear supporting means, said rear section being provided with means for anchoring said rear supporting means thereon, and said front section having means coacting with the seat member carried by one of said intermediate supporting means for latching the stand in folded position.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together, the former being adapted to have seated thereupon the lower ends of the front and intermediate supporting means when the stand is extended and being foldable upwardly at right angles to the rear section for moving upwardly and folding the front and intermediate supporting means together relative to said rear supporting means, said rear section being provided with means for anchoring said rear supporting means thereon, said front section having means coacting with the seat member carried by one of said intermediate supporting means for latching the stand in folded position, resilient means carried by said rear and one of said intermediate supporting means for retaining the stand in extended position, upper and lower abutment means arranged relative to said rear and the said one of the said intermediate supporting means, and said resilient means being slidably mounted against said abutment means.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 9 having combined therewith a base formed of a front and a rear section hinged together, the former being adapted to have seated thereupon the lower endsof the front and intermediate supporting means when the stand is extended and being movable upwardly at right angles to the rear section for moving upwardly-and folding the front and intermediate supporting means together relative to said rear supporting means, said rear section being provided with means for anchoring said rear supporting means thereon. and an automatically foldable pivoted arresting element connected with said upper pivotal connections for extension across the top of thegrandstand when the latter is folded to prevent entrance of foreign bodies into the folded stand at the top of the latter.

FORREST C. VANCE. 

